The Chinese Tennis Champ Further Extends Dior’s Push Into the World of Sports
Dior announced on Thursday that Zheng Qinwen, a 22-year-old Chinese tennis champion, has been appointed as its new global brand ambassador. Zheng made history as the first Asian tennis player to win a gold medal in singles at the Paris Olympics and is currently ranked fifth in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association.
The French fashion house described Zheng as someone who “embodies the elegance and boldness of Dior style, a femininity in perpetual motion.” Their statement emphasized the partnership as a reinforcement of Dior’s commitment to empowerment and self-assertion, highlighting the connections between sport and high fashion.
Zheng, who hails from Shiyan in China’s Hubei province, began playing tennis at the age of 7. She entered the professional tennis scene in 2019, quickly making a name for herself by defeating a top-10 player at the 2022 French Open. Zheng won her first Women’s Tennis Association title at the Palermo Ladies Open in 2023.
In 2024, Zheng continued her success, reaching the finals of the Australian Open and defending her title at the Palermo Ladies Open before winning the Olympic gold medal. She defeated several top competitors, including the world number one, Iga Swiatek, en route to her Olympic victory. She concluded the year by winning the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo and received several accolades, including nominations for the 2024 WTA Player of the Year and awards for Fan Favorite Singles, WTA 250 Best Moment, and Shot of the Year.
Maria Grazia Chiuri, Dior’s creative director of womenswear, has incorporated athletic elements into her designs since her fencing-inspired debut in 2016. Chiuri played a prominent role during the Paris Olympics, designing outfits for performers like Lady Gaga and Celine Dion at the opening ceremony, and has aligned the brand with prominent women athletes, having previously partnered with figures such as Jamaican sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah, U.S. soccer player Alex Morgan, and Australian swimmer Emma McKeon in anticipation of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.